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If you've ever been in a kitchen that requires you to turn yourself sideways as you shuffle along the perimeter of an island, then you know that designing an island requires some strategic planning so that you can enjoy it in comfort. Still, treat the numbers and dimensions as guidelines only, not as hard and fast rules, to direct your best efforts.

Begin with the Basics

In general, your kitchen should be at least 8 by 12 feet to comfortably accommodate an island. To walk around it with ease, plan for at least 36 inches between the island and your kitchen cabinets -- or, for that matter, an appliance or the sink. If you have the space, 42 or 48 inches would be even better so that you can avoid “the sideways shuffle.”

Finesse the Details

Design your island to be at least 3 feet wide; an island that is only 2 feet wide may be too narrow to dine on or to prepare food on. While it's important to be able to walk between the cabinets and the island, you also should be able to easily navigate the ends of the island, so leave at least 3 feet of space at either end of the island. For island height, normal kitchen chairs will work with an island that's between 28 and 30 inches high, if it will have seating. An island that's 36 to 42 inches high will require stools.

About the Author

With education, health care and small business marketing as her core interests, M.T. Wroblewski has penned pieces for Woman's Day, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal and many newspapers and magazines. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University.

Wroblewski, M.T.. (n.d.). What is the Minimum Space to put Kitchen Cabinets From an Island? Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/minimum-space-put-kitchen-cabinets-island-92430.html

Wroblewski, M.T.. "What is the Minimum Space to put Kitchen Cabinets From an Island?" accessed May 24, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/minimum-space-put-kitchen-cabinets-island-92430.html

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